Helping new arrivals to settle in Derby

A new guide has been produced to help people arriving in Derby for the first time to settle and make the most of living in the city.

The ‘Welcome to Derby – an essential guide’ – has been produced by Derby Community Safety Partnership with the help of new communities themselves and also partner agencies in the City.  It has been funded through the national Migration Impact Fund.

The guide is being distributed through public services, libraries and community organisations who come into early contact with new arrivals to the city and includes essential information on subjects like what to do in an emergency, getting a bank account, the city’s recycling schemes and where to find English courses for speakers of other languages.

Karen Johnson, Director of Derby Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are committed to making sure Derby is a city where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where people from different backgrounds and ages get on well together.

“Derby is a wonderfully cohesive multi-cultural city but it must be extremely daunting for people coming here for the first time and not knowing how the city works.  They need essential information to enable them to quickly settle, know their rights and responsibilities, and how to become an active member of their local community.

“This is the first time that a comprehensive guide such as this has been produced and the feedback we have so far received is that it is a very useful reference point for agencies working with migrants and for people coming to live in Derby.  It is also really useful for anyone already living in Derby as there is lots of useful information.”

The launch has been welcomed by Latvian migrant Inese Zukovska (49) who came to Derby three years ago.

Inese, who decided to come to Derby after a family tragedy and now works in a factory, said: “When I came here with my friend we relied on information from other people who had settled here and on information we found on the internet.

“Not everyone has a computer and may come here not knowing anyone at all so it is very useful to have a guide like this which points you in the right direction especially with information about finding a job, healthcare, education – particularly with learning or improving English – and housing.

“It is also easier having something written down because talking to someone on the phone, and particularly understanding different accents, can be very difficult.

“Coming to the UK is a difficult and complicated process and most of us who come here want to work and settle here to make a good life for ourselves.  I like Derby very much as it is a friendly city and not too big and I feel safe here.”

Click here to return to the previous page